A Near Miss with Robert “Cujo” Teschner
NSSGA Podcast
Safety Shorts welcomes Robert “Cujo” Teschner to the podcast today to recount a harrowing “near miss” over the Atlantic that reshaped his view on risk and responsibility. A former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot, Cujo offers powerful insights into the dangers of prioritizing performance over safety, underscoring the importance of keeping safety as the ultimate measure of success in any high-stakes environment. Reflecting on how competitive instincts nearly led to disaster, he highlights the need for clear priorities, a message that resonates across industries. Remember - true success...
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A Routine Scan with Rob Lanham
NSSGA Podcast
This week, Libby Pritchard welcomes industry veteran Rob Lanham back to the podcast to share his personal health journey following over 42 years in Virginia's transportation construction sector. Rob recounts how a routine medical check-up uncovered a life-threatening condition, highlighting the importance of early detection and regular screenings. After recovering from a heart attack in 2021, a prostate issue led to the discovery of a massive tumor, underscoring the unpredictability of health challenges. Rob reflects on his emotional journey through a cancer diagnosis and recovery, emphasizing...
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“How You Do Everything” with Ronn Lehmann
NSSGA Podcast
In this episode of Safety Shorts, host Libby Pritchard welcomes back safety consultant Ronn Lehmann, who delves into the critical relationship between safety and quality. Through a personal story about tree trimming near power lines, Ron illustrates the importance of maintaining rigorous safety standards in all aspects of life, not just the workplace. He emphasizes that consumer decisions play a significant role in safety outcomes and that professional conduct is essential in ensuring both safety and quality. The discussion highlights how mindset and habits are foundational to a robust safety...
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Three Points of Contact with Jay Collup
NSSGA Podcast
Libby is excited to welcome Jay Collup, the founder of Collup Enterprises, to the show for this important episode. Boasting an extensive career in the industry and a passion for training, particularly in mobile equipment operator safety, Jay proves an invaluable guest. In this episode, he shares a compelling story that underscores the importance of maintaining three points of contact—a critical safety practice in the industry. Delving into the details of a severe accident he witnessed, our guest highlights the catastrophic consequences of not following proper safety protocols. He goes on to...
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A Concussion Safety Story with Dan Babish
NSSGA Podcast
Safety Shorts tackles the topic of concussion safety with Luck Stone’s Regional Sales and Operations Manager, Dan Babish, a seasoned industry professional with close to 20 years experience in the business. Dan's harrowing story about a concussion from a post-driver incident underscores the importance of safety precautions, especially for those new to farm work. The episode emphasizes the often-underestimated recovery time required for head injuries and the value of safety training. By applying workplace safety habits at home and utilizing a buddy system for risky tasks, listeners working in...
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Safety as Personal with Sarah D’Amico
NSSGA Podcast
In this episode of Safety Shorts, Libby welcomes Sarah D'Amico, Marketing Manager of Turner Mining Group and Turner Staffing Group, to discuss the deeply personal importance of safety in such industries as mining. Sarah shares how her perspective on safety evolved from a set of rules to an emotional priority, particularly with her fiancé being a project superintendent in mining. Coinciding with Safety Month, Sarah’s story underscores the life-changing consequences of neglecting safety measures as well as the importance of prioritizing workplace safety for everyone who cares for and counts...
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Thinking About Families Following Catastrophic Injuries with Bill Duguay
NSSGA Podcast
Bill Duguay brings his vast amount of industry experience back to the podcast today to discuss the importance of workplace safety, accident prevention, and the implementation of stringent safety protocols. Bill, who now advises leadership teams on running safety-oriented businesses, shares a personal and poignant story about a lockout/tagout procedure gone wrong, an incident that nearly cost his father his life, and that had a profound impact upon his family. Throughout the episode, he stresses the human element of workplace safety, advocating that the protection of workers extends...
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Do as I Say and Do with Aaron Witt
NSSGA Podcast
In a key Safety Shorts episode, Aaron Witt, CEO of Build Witt, shares crucial safety insights from his early construction days. Starting at 18 with no prior experience, Witt learned the hard way that following experienced workers without question doesn't guarantee safety. His narrative highlights the danger of neglecting safety protocols, especially around trenches, and the life-saving importance of adhering to guidelines. The discussion emphasizes the need for questioning, the courage to challenge unsafe practices, and the shared responsibility in promoting a safe work environment....
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Total Worker Health with Josh Ierna
NSSGA Podcast
Josh Ierna, Safety Manager at Tilcon Connecticut, joins Libby today to delve into the transformative journey of Total Worker Health and its profound impact on organizational wellbeing. Josh highlights the evolution of Total Worker Health, addressing multifaceted issues such as mental wellness, opioid overdose prevention, and suicide awareness, through proactive engagement with employees, fostering a culture of support and empowerment. Throughout the discussion, Josh elaborates on Tilcon Connecticut's journey, from raising awareness through dedicated training sessions to implementing...
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Why We Do Training with DJ Schmutz
NSSGA Podcast
This week, Libby reunites with DJ Schmutz, Director of Operations with MSHA Safety Services, as he delivers a compelling narrative that transcends workplace boundaries to underscore the real-world significance of safety training. DJ's harrowing personal experience from a year and a half ago vividly illustrates the importance of being prepared for emergencies, as his son's seizure becomes a poignant reminder that safety skills can be a lifeline in unexpected situations. As you will hear, this episode not only emphasizes the critical need for maintaining composure and relying on training in...
info_outlineJim Anderson, Safety Superintendent at Mitsubishi Cement, joins Libby on the podcast today. From doing Search and Rescue all the way to being a Chief at the volunteer fire department where he worked, Jim has always been involved in health and safety for his entire career. In this episode, he shares one of the many safety stories he has accumulated over the years that is really quite personal for him.
Episode Highlights:
- One July day, Jim was made aware that Luther, a shipping clerk at their plant whom he has known for decades was displaying some unusual symptoms
- Luther had been to the hospital a couple times for the same symptoms, but they were not considered an emergency so the ER team did not dig any deeper
- This time, Luther had been told by EMS that he was not having a heart attack or cardiac event, and to go see a doctor after he got after work but his coworker who knows him well was uncomfortable with this advice and contacted Jim about it
- When Jim got to the plant and talked to the clerk, and he was uncomfortable with that plan as well
- When questioning him, Jim discovered that the clerk had been gardening all day in the July sun and heat the day before
- To Jim, his symptoms were characteristic of electrolyte imbalance, particularly cramping and pain in his legs
- But he also had some lower left lung pain which didn’t make sense to Jim, so he talked Luther into going to the hospital
- Jim drove him there as ambulances were hours away for a variety of reasons
- The hospital they went to took the time to explore even further than the emergency rooms had been able to previously, and found that Luther was suffering from Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) - clots in the leg that can migrate to other areas (lungs, brain, etc).becoming truly life threatening
- While Luther has survived, Jim learned of another person experiencing similar symptoms on the same day who sadly didn’t go to a hospital and ended up dying
- Thanks to the fact that there were people who knew Luther well enough to see that he just wasn’t acting himself, and that Luther listened to Jim to go to the hospital to get checked out, he is alive today, and has since given Jim permission to share his story
Toolbox Talk Discussion Questions:
- In this story, we hear the story of Luther, an employee who is experiencing medical symptoms but wasn’t sure if it was serious enough to go to the doctor. What does this tell us about listening to ourselves and taking medical threats seriously?
- How can this story encourage us to check in with one another and stay well at work and at home?
- Do you have a story to share about taking a medical threat seriously?
Quotes:
“I didn't feel comfortable with just letting him go to the doctor after work and chances are he wouldn't have gone and in later conversation with him, he confirmed that.”
“He said he'd actually been to the hospital twice before for the same symptoms and they weren't able to figure it out.”
“He wasn't in really bad shape, but he was in bad enough shape.”
“There's a 95% chance that this is nothing but there's a 5% chance that this is something.”
“I knew this individual, that he needed somebody to dig a little deeper because the hospitals that he had gone to, they, their primary concern is,’Okay, is the guy going to die immediately?” Emergency Rooms are to treat emergencies but they didn't quite dig deep enough.”
“And there's a condition called DVT, or deep vein thrombosis, and it's clots in your leg, and those clots had migrated. And they cause what would be called a pulmonary embolism or a clogged artery in the lungs. And that is truly a life threatening issue.”
“Because of the personal relationship that the gentleman had at the plant with Luther, knew him well enough to call me at home going, ‘Hey, I'm not comfortable with EMS getting turned around. Can you dig into this a little deeper?’”
“By the grace of God, he listened to me going, ‘Okay, there is a 5% chance that this could be bad.’ But that 5% wound up being the suspicions that we had.”
Links:
National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association website